Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Energy Department has concluded in an internal audit that it does not properly track whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency.

Some manufacturers could therefore be putting the stickers on unqualified products, according to the audit, by the Energy Department’s inspector general, Gregory H. Friedman.

An ecolabel can have the best standards in the world that reflect the cutting edge recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences of 47 countries. But if the certifying body doesn't have an adequate system in place for monitoring whether certified products, forests, etc. continue to consistently meet their standards over time, there are bound to be problems like this.

It's not just EnergyStar either. I've read about Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests being found by studies to be out of compliance, especially in third world countries. We simply need to get better monitoring systems in place.

About the Author

Jonathan L. Gelbard, Ph.D. is a rare combination of conservation scientist, sustainability expert and communication specialist. He is a top notch researcher, writer, speaker and problem-solver who excels at serving as a bridge — applying the science underlying sustainability to help citizens, businesses and decision-makers devise cutting-edge solutions.